Arteta, 36, has no qualms about stepping in for Guardiola, with whom he will not be allowed contact with during the game, but admits it is not ideal to be without the inspirational head coach.

Arteta said: “Obviously he is very disappointed. We all know how much the Champions League means to him.

“But he had a reaction to something in a big game and they made a decision and this is the situation. We respect the decision.

“He wouldn’t choose the situation but I am here, I will try to do my best to reduce the impact of not having Pep.

“It is a good challenge, a very nice challenge, but if I had to choose, I would choose Pep on the touchline because he does that job better than anyone else.”

Arteta sounded like a manager with many of his answers and might even have been one by now. The former Arsenal midfielder was heavily linked with the vacancy at the Emirates Stadium before Unai Emery was appointed in the summer.

How close he came to the job, though, he would not reveal.

He said: “I didn’t talk about that two or three months ago and I didn’t make a statement, and I don’t think today is the day to talk about it.

“You all know something happened but the reality is I am here and I am very happy.”

Pep Guardiola will not be on the touchline on Wednesday night (Martin Rickett/PA)

Arteta did not deny he has ambitions to become a manager, however.

He said: “I am privileged to be where I am. I feel very fulfilled with the job I am doing at the moment.

“If you ask me the question, one day in the future, will I be a coach the answer is probably yes – but I am really happy where I am and really enjoying the moment I am living.

“We have a fantastic momentum and there is still a lot of room for this club to grow, so I am very pleased with where I am.”

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